A short book, but one that packs a punch.
Young Ruby’s mother has disappeared, again. Her mental health issues and drug addictions prevent her from providing stability for Ruby, so Aunt Marion is her guardian. When the two go searching for the missing mom, they encounter a number of interesting people, who are surprisingly willing to offer assistance to Ruby and her aunt out of the goodness of their hearts.
A great book for middle-grade readers!

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

I think this story had so much potential but ultimately fell flat in my expectations. I loved the concept of a main character navigating her feelings about having a parent with mental illness. There were many scenes where I teared up for Ruby and it could have been really impactful but it was overshadowed by the eccentric storytelling. I was very disappointed by the use of stereotypes throughout the book which could have easily been fixed with critical thinking. I was hoping that the ending would redeem the story, but ultimately all the adults in the story were unsafe and enabled dangerous behavior.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying me an advanced reader copy of Somebody’s Someone.

This book provides a wonderfully humanizing tale of a family going through hard times. Ruby Bean's search for her missing mother prompts discussion on homelessness, addiction, kid's in the care of adults who make serious, even criminal choices, and the complicated feelings of loving broken people. The author does a wonderful job navigating these difficult topics in an age appropriate way, and I believe this book will be important not just for kids in these difficult situations to see themselves reflected, but also to humanize and garner empathy in the hearts of kids not in these hard situations.

Somebody’s Someone is a deeply moving story that follows Ruby on an emotional journey to find her mother, a lost addict battling mental illness. Linda Oatman High crafts a powerful narrative filled with heartbreak, resilience, and hope. Ruby’s experiences are painful to witness. No middle grader should have to endure what she does, but her strength and determination make Ruby a compelling protagonist. The diverse cast of characters adds richness to the story, and Ruby’s growth throughout her journey is beautifully portrayed. This book brought me to tears, but it also left me with a sense of hope. A touching, unforgettable read.

Linda Oatman High’s Somebody’s Someone is a deeply moving and beautifully written story that explores the complexities of family, addiction, and resilience through the eyes of twelve-year-old Ruby Bean.

Ruby, who considers herself an “Accidental Expert on Missing Mothers,” is no stranger to the chaos that comes with her mother Ruthie’s struggles with addiction and mental illness. When Ruthie disappears again, Ruby and her determined aunt set out on a cross-country journey to find her. Along the way, they have unexpected encounters—including a jewelry store robbery and a surprising act of kindness.

What makes this book so compelling is Ruby’s voice—honest, heartfelt, and brimming with quiet strength. Despite the hardships she faces, she never loses her sense of hope. The novel also masterfully balances difficult themes with moments of warmth, humor, and unexpected joy, reminding us that even in the darkest times, light can still break through.

I also loved the illustrations, they bring the story to life.

This was a mixed bag for me. The topic of a parent struggling with addiction and mental health issues is handled with sensitivity and compassion, and I think it was dealt with appropriately for the age group. The author sends a good message of being kind to people, because you never know what they're going through, and emphasizing that people who have 'problems' often can't help it.

On the other hand, I did feel like some of the things that happen here are too unrealistic. Middle grade can definitely be unrealistic to a degree, and I appreciated that the author was trying to break stigma around homeless people, but I'm not sure we should give kids the message that they can just trust any stranger. I also feel like the author was a little too positive about the police and prison at the end of the book. Saying that jail is 'sometimes the best place' for a person with mental health issues and addictions felt a little grating. How about a mental health facility, or a detox clinic? I understand that those are not options available to everyone, but they simply weren't mentioned.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I never would’ve imagined a children’s book could be this deep and emotional.

Told from the perspective of a little girl who lost her mother to mental illness and substance abuse, this story follows her and her aunt as they embark on a heartbreaking journey to find her missing mom.

We rarely see stories that explore homelessness with such raw honesty, especially in children’s literature. This book didn’t just tell a story—it shifted my perspective, making me think more deeply about the unseen struggles that lead people to the streets. It’s a powerful, eye-opening read that lingers long after the last page.

ARC Review of Somebody’s Someone by Linda Oatman High @tazshuracasey
Pub Date Mar 04 2025
Publisher: Red Chair Press
Imprints :One Elm Books
My Rating: 💖💖💖💖🩷

Thank you @netgalley and @redchairpress 🫶

Description
Twelve-year-old Ruby Bean has become an Accidental Expert on Missing Mothers.

When her mother, Ruthie, goes missing again due to mental illness and addiction, Ruby and her aunt leap into action to search for Ruthie.

A jewelry store robbery and unexpected kindness from the victim brings more twists to the journey. From Georgia to Washington to New York City, Ruby discovers that sometimes even the worst events can bring the best surprises into one's life, if you keep believing.

My thoughts:
Somebody’s Someone is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with heartbreaking struggles, unwavering love, and resilience. Despite being only 12, Ruby shows incredible maturity and strength, holding onto her love for her mother despite Ruthie’s addiction and absence.

Aunt Marion is a true hero—staying strong, clean, and dedicated to giving Ruby a stable life, all while never giving up on searching for her sister. Benny, Daisy, and Julia are the kind of compassionate, selfless people everyone needs, and Nixon, the dog Benny gifts Ruby, symbolizes the love and friendship she gains.

Special applause to Yayira Dzamesi’s illustrations, which beautifully bring life and warmth to the story.

I was completely overwhelmed by this story. It is beautifully written and carries a powerful message about love, family, and making the right choices, even when they are the hardest to make. Linda Oatman High has created a masterpiece that delicately touches the heart and offers hope to those in difficult situations.

Somebody’s Someone is a must-read for children, teenagers, and adults alike—anyone who values family, resilience, and kindness. It’s a story that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

#redchairpress #NetGalley #somebodyssomeone

** ARC Review**

Ruby, a twelve-year-old girl, has a Mom who goes missing frequently due to mental health (schizo-affective disorder, depression, and anxiety) and substance abuse issues. Due to this, she is mostly raised by her Aunt Marion. Ruby and her aunt have become experts on finding her missing mom, although they would rather be an experts in anything else.

Ruby has a lot she is dealing with in her life: being raised by someone other than her parents (for the most part), having a father she doesn’t know, and having a mother who is dealing with substance abuse, mental illness, and homelessness at times. Many children are dealing with some, or many, of these issues themselves, and this book can help them to see that they are not alone in these struggles.

The book does a great job of teaching some lessons that everyone should remember:
Even if people have fallen on hard times; they are somebody’s someone and they matter.
It is important to do the right thing, even when it is hard.
Everyone makes mistakes.

Some parts of the story are a little far-fetched to make it realistic. While Aunt Marion likes to see the best in people, I don’t see someone reasonable for a 12-year-old allowing 2 people they met the day before to join them on a trip to another city. Then with Julia, even though she also sees the best in people, I feel that it is highly unlikely a person would invite multiple strangers to stay at their house a few hours after meeting them. Then Aunt Marion allows Ruthie to stay the night at Julia’s house when she knows that she is mixed up with bad people (one of which has a gun); um.. what?

This book is important. I wish many of my students had this book when they were younger. It was empathetic and tackled tough stuff - acknowledging that children are often better able to understand that we realize.

This 188 page book really packed a punch.

For 12 year-old Ruby life has been hard given that her mother suffers from mental health issues. Determined to find her yet again, Rudy along with her aunt begin a search that takes them on a journey that spans many, many miles.

This was a journey with heart that took many detours but along the way help is found in unexpected places. It was written for a younger audience while dealing with some strong subject matter. A good opportunity for discussions.

It was illustrated nicely and I'm sure in book form it will be better then on my kindle.

My thanks to One Elm Books (via Netgalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

I received.a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

Homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction…all affect far more people than just those we see on the streets. Somebody’s Someone is a beautiful book that talks about the impact of this on families, and that every unhoused person, mentally ill person, drug user, and inmate is somebody’s someone.

Ruby and her Aunt Marion’s efforts to find Ruby’s missing mother, the twists and turns and hard decisions, the helpers, and, ultimately, the humanity are forefront in this book. One reason why I love reading middle grade books is that often the authors, in trying to help children understand, end up hitting a level of depth rarely seen in books for adults, and Somebody’s Someone is one of those books. I wish every legislator, everyone who creates hostile architecture, everyone who tries to NIMBY shelters out of existence, and everyone who votes would read this book. And I hope it gets read by many, many children.

A heart breaking story of a child with a parent suffering from addiction and mental illness.
This book was very eye opening and beautifully written. Left me emotional but very happy I was able to experience reading it. Fantastic story. Everyone should read it at least once in their life time.

This book is a touching story novel exploring the lives of children society ignores. The story is about a young girl, Lily. She lives in a trailer park with her financially struggling mother. She goes to a school but she doesn't feel seen. She does not shy away from showcasing the challenges of her poverty and the emotional distress it places on a family. It also skillfully shows the moments of tenderness and resilience, which illustrates the unbreakable bond between Lily and her mother and the small joys they discover in their hardships. The book shows the raw emotions of Lily's experiences, making her both relatable and sympathetic. The story pace is slow. But it definitely allows us to fully engage with Lily’s world and grasp her feelings.

Short but sweet in a tragically heartbreaking but also inspiring way. Reading that last sentence back makes the book sound a bit wild and yet it all balanced so nicely even with a mix of missing persons, mental health problems, theft and more. Ruby Bean and her aunt undertake all kinds of adventures trying to locate her missing mother who has gone missing once again, and who struggles mentally in multiple ways. Ruby can’t understand why people are so selfish and wonders how they can miss all that is going on for other people and yet overtime she learns that others can also care when you let them in, and that each person has their own story and baggage to carry. This was a complicated, and at times unlikely story, that addressed many serious issues, and yet it was written simply and gently in a way that leaves the characters stories touching your heart and mind after the book is finished. I particularly enjoyed the side characters in the form of Julia, Daisy, Benny and his dog Nixon who all showed that friends can come in unlikely packages. With thanks to Netgalley and Res Chair Press for an advanced copy in exchange for review.

This was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It's hard to put into words how much this affected me.

While I loved that this tackled the very real struggles of mental health, homelessness, etc., there were several moments and personalities that fit a more stereotype-mold. Not to mention that some decisions were highly ill-advised. The preferred target audience may not notice these things, but adults / teachers may.

I still highly recommend this read, but do so with caution and check trigger warnings.

The digital set up was strange and it kind of threw me off, but I really enjoyed the book very suitable for younger readers. I will buy this when it comes out to add to my shelf for my daughter when she is old enough for it.

Pros of the Story
Topic and concept. The message of this story is very important - young people with a missing parent is extremely painful and a book is a great way to offer support.
Bringing a sense of humanity around individuals who don't have consistent living quarters available to them.

Cons of the Story
The plot was too simple and the major events, while potentially engaging for a younger reader, too easily happened and were too easily resolved.
Lack of complexity. It would be difficult for young people to think critically because the events were too simple.

This story holds so much power as it discusses topics of homelessness, having a mentally ill parent, and having an absent parent. I think it is wonderful that this book exists to educate on difficult situations and show certain children that they’re not alone in their struggles. The characters were both lovable and inspiring as they helped the main character, Ruby, to process her mother's illness and see the love within the chaos. Characters like Benny and Daisy also humanized people who are homeless, showing the reader that kindness can be found in people of all groups and sizes. 

However, in some parts I found the characters' decisions to have misplaced judgment. For example, when Ruby and her aunt befriend a homeless man, Benny, the aunt allows the recently stranger to take her keys and get their suitcases out of their car. In a real-life situation, this would be dangerous no matter if the person was homeless or not. Later in the book there are other scenes where 12-year-old Ruby has to step up and make decisions that should’ve been clear to the 4 other adults. It was a bit confusing to the characters and the plot. 

Ultimately, this book is a wonderful gift to any child who has a mentally ill parent struggling through addiction and in-and-out homelessness. The book shows that having struggling parents doesn't mean you will turn out like them too. I think that is such an important message, as many children, like Ruby, grow up with the fear that they will make the same mistakes as their parents. These topics don’t have much representation in middle-grade literature, so it was very healing to read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Red Chair Press, for the opportunity to review this book.

A really beautiful book for children of the intended age, but also for an adult too. I actually really related to many things in this book, and it tells a message that I could have really benefited from when I was young. It was really beautifully written and tells a story of people who are willing to listen, understand and help. Who show kindness. Who realise that we are not our family members and not responsible for their actions. It tells a story of learning that sometimes you can do everything possible but can't truly help someone, but that doesn't mean you love them any less. True friends can be found in the most unexpected places and circumstances. I shed tears at parts because I could understand the emotions of the characters, their circumstances. It's a book that deals with very tough subject matter, it's quite a mature topic, but it definitely is one that's important to teach to younger people. And also they might be going through similar things, and need the encouragement that things might be ok. An easy 5 stars.